THE BUZZ: Troubled publishing house THQ today announced that its upcoming MMORPG—Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium—will now be reworked into a more single player-focused RPG.

EGM’s TAKE: Rumors had been going around as to what might happen to the future of THQ’s Warhammer MMORPG, and today that picture has become clearer. Dark Millennium will now be making the switch from a massively multiplayer online RPG to an “immersive single player and online multiplayer experience”—one promised to have “robust digital content and engaging community features”.

So, a single-player RPG that may have some specific multiplayer portions, like maybe PVP arenas or multiplayer dungeons? Or will the multiplayer be less gameplay-based and more community-focused?

“As previously announced, we have been actively looking for a business partner for the game as an MMO. However, based on changing market dynamics and the additional investment required to complete the game as an MMO, we believe the right direction for us is to shift the title from an MMO to a premium experience with single and multiplayer gameplay, robust digital content and community features,” said President and CEO of THQ Brian Farrell. “Because we believe strongly in the high-quality and vast creative work that is in production, this is the right decision for both our portfolio and for gamers devoted to this powerful property.”

Unfortunately, as a part of this change in focus for Dark Millennium, two of the teams that had a hand in the game will be reduced in size: Austin, Texas-based Vigil Games will lose 79 full-time employees, and Vancouver, B.C.-based Relic Entertainment will lose 39 staffers.

We here at EGMNOW wish those who will be affected by this refocusing the best.

Eric L. Patterson got started via self-publishing game-related fanzines in junior high, and now has one goal in life: making sure EGM has as much coverage of niche Japanese games as can realistically be crammed in. Eric’s also active in the gaming community on a personal level, being an outspoken voice on topics such as equality in gaming and consumer rights. Stalk Eric on Twitter: @Eric_EGM. Meet the rest of the crew.